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| Images copyright MARVEL COMICS |
Some might say it's redundant given that SPIDER-MAN readily identifies the publisher, but I can't help thinking that 'MARVEL' should be far more prominent in the above cover's rather bland masthead. However, that's just a personal observation and no one's obliged to agree with me on the matter. Anyway, here's yet another batch of British Marvel weeklies (although it's possible that MARVEL ACTION HOUR was a fortnightly comic, but I can't quite recall) to satiate your rabid desire for all things Marvel from many years ago.
It would be interesting to know what the sales figures were on these titles, because, with the possible exception of TEAM-UP, I can't imagine that any of them lasted for very long. British Marvel seems to have lost its way a bit during this period, and nothing much matched the excitement that early issues of MWOM and SMCW managed to create in readers back in the early '70s. You have to give them credit for trying, I suppose, but, for the most part (with a few honourable exceptions), it wasn't until PANINI took over the task of producing U.K. titles that 'British Marvel' at last fulfilled its potential as far as presentation goes.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Instead, let's focus on these pulsating periodicals from the past, when we were all younger, brighter-eyed and bushy-tailed, with optimism for the future burning in our hearts. Wouldn't it be great to re-experience those elusive, enchanted emotions from so very long ago? Well, now's our chance! So, everyone clasp hands and focus upon the covers enclosed within this post - with any luck, we'll return to an earlier era together!
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| Spot the Marvel boo-boo. The date should read 18th |
I never saw Action Hour. I must have given up on them by then? But I did get the others and I liked Team Up especially - this was my first chance to read some What Ifs as the US originals never came to our newsagents. I think Marvel UK finally got it right with the Complete Spider-Man Monthly. What a brilliant little comic that was, especially after the earlier attempts at colour in Thor and the original X- Men. But these trials and errors were all part of Marvel UK's innocent charm. Hope there's more to come, Kid.
ReplyDeleteOh, there's loads more to come, JP - almost an entire cupboard full. It just depends on when I can find time to scan them.
ReplyDeleteJohn's enthusiasm makes me feel a bit guilty for my criticism of Marvel UK-post '78 but even so I hope you'll be featuring more from the '70s, Kid. By the way WHEN are you going to tell us what that drawing is?
ReplyDeleteI was hoping for a few more guesses first, Col. I'll probably add the completed doodle soon.
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